Posts Tagged ‘2010 Subaru STi Spec Edition’

The Hybrid Tower concept signals the Japanese maker's plan to launch its first -electric model in 2012, though U.S. plans haven't been revealed.

Late to the game, Subaru nevertheless plans to launch its first hybrid by 2012, company officials told TheDetroitBureau.com, during an interview at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Though a global roll-out is planned, they cautioned that there are no specific plans in place for bringing the gasoline-electric vehicle to the U.S., though it will make it to the market eventually.

During a news conference in L.A., vice president Michael McHale noted that the Japanese automaker has already sold more vehicles, through November, than it did all last year, despite the otherwise horrid conditions of the American auto market.

“We predict we’ll end 2009 with an all-time record, said McHale.

Auto Show News!

The planned hybrid will be loosely based on the Hybrid Tower Concept, a gull-winged show car first seen at the Tokyo Motor Show, in October, and now on display in L.A. The prototype, an official noted, was designed to demonstrate that Subaru’s trademark boxer engine can be used in a hybrid powertrain.